Oil delivery spot checks underway

Home heating oil customers, in all but a handful of cases, can rest easy about getting the amount of fuel they pay for, according to information from spot-checks state regulators perform.

Gerry Tuoti Wicked Local Newsbank Editor

Home heating oil customers, in all but a handful of cases, can rest easy about getting the amount of fuel they pay for, according to information from spot-checks state regulators perform.

The Massachusetts Division of Standards is in the midst of its annual winter spot check program, which will see inspectors make about 500 unannounced stops at oil deliveries across the state. At each stop, inspectors examine the metering devices for broken security seals or signs of tampering. They also inspect the meters and delivery tickets for accuracy and ensure that each truck is properly certified.

“The integrity of our meters is essential,” said Michael Ferrante, president of the Massachusetts Energy Marketers Association, a trade group that represents heating oil companies. “The integrity of customer service is what’s kept our business alive.”

In the course of performing roughly 1,000 spot-checks over the past two years, Division of Standards inspectors have issued just seven citations, amounting to approximately $1,200 in fines, said Chris Goetcheus, a spokesman for the state Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation. Signs of deliberate tampering, he said, are virtually unheard of.

The seven citations were for violations such as outdated meter seals on trucks, broken meters, delivery tickets that lacked the per-gallon price, and customer complaints of being overcharged or receiving a short delivery.

When a truck delivers oil to a home, a meter on the truck measures the amount of fuel pumped out. The meter then prints a ticket that states the amount of fuel delivered, the price per gallon, the date and time of the delivery and the name of the person making the delivery.

Consumer affairs advocates recommend customers save all delivery tickets. If a customer ever questions the amount of fuel delivered, state and local inspectors can use the tickets to perform an audit. Customers should also compare their bills and their tickets to check for any discrepancies.

“Consumers need to feel confident that they are getting what they pay for when it comes to their home heating oil,” Consumer Affairs Undersecretary John Chapman said. “Inspectors from the Division of Standards take their role in consumer protection seriously and will continue their efforts to ensure accurate deliveries throughout the winter months.”

The spot inspections began in December and will run into March.

Ferrante said he hasn’t seen any resistance from his organization’s membership when it comes to the spot-checks.

“We are totally onboard with the program and have been for many, many years,” he said. “I think these rules, including the one around delivery systems, add some confidence to the companies and customers about the product being delivered.”